My holiday food
What is media noche without the usual round fruits to bring good luck for the rest of the year? Not in the picture was the kiat-kiat or Mandarin oranges. They’re my favorite!
Veggies to make sure we eat healthy. Noreen made these fresh spring rolls or Lumpiang Sariwa. Instead of the usual bamboo shoots, Noreen put turnips, greens and a little kamote (sweet potato) for a sweet after taste. Delish!
The penne was al dente as could be. No picture with the sauce. I took this one before he sauce was mixed. I was eating it till the 4th of January and it was still delectable.
For better presentation, Noreen put iced tea in a punch bowl, with slices of lemon.
The ensemble with the crispy fried chicken. Not a bad way to meet the new year.
And the piece de resistance, the ox tongue in mushroom sauce with olives. Despite doctor’s orders that I avoid red meat, I failed miserably in refusing this dish. I said to myself, ‘what the hell, I only have this once a year.’ Then the gout came knocking on my door two days later. Looking back, I mulled, ‘oh hell, the enjoyment of the lengua was well worth the pain.’ Dear reader, do not follow my example. Always follow your doctor.
Comments
Comment from Simon
Time: January 7, 2008, 9:50 am
i was not invited!!! 
Comment from arpee lazaro
Time: January 7, 2008, 4:00 pm
to merce: the best way to learn how to make the wrapper is to have the master teach you how. si eden talaga ang may master nyan. pag gagawa kami nyan i’ll text you when so you can come over and see how it’s made.
to simon: next time, i’ll text you an invite! hehehe
thanks for visiting my site!
Comment from debbie
Time: January 7, 2008, 4:32 pm
wow! the lengua made me drool! na miss ko tuloy luto nang mom ko.. huhuhu.. she makes a mean lengua, tapos kare-kare.. yuuumm
Comment from RusselCP
Time: January 8, 2008, 10:22 am
Such a delicious feast, that’s the way to welcome the new year. 
Comment from christine
Time: January 8, 2008, 12:52 pm
that’s what’s great about the holidays — they (momentarily) drive all our cares away and let us just eat, drink and be merry. i hope the duman contact i sent you will help you with all your inquiries (as you know, i’m not too familiar with duman). all the best with your food blogging this 2008.
Comment from arpee lazaro
Time: January 8, 2008, 4:21 pm
to debbie: lengua is really my favorite. for a quick fix i usually go to milky way. their lengua is very good.
to russel: hey long time no hear ah! it’s great to hear from you bro. there’s nothing better than to greet the new year with good food.
to christine: thanks for going the extra mile on the duman. i will travel to bulacan then pampanga this weekend. if successful, it will find it’s way into my blog. thanks again for the invaluable advice. more power to you!
Comment from jun
Time: January 8, 2008, 6:17 pm
I saw duman in the comments…
This used to be a childhoood fare, either eating it directly or putting carabao’s milk ala oatmeal and sprinkling a little (or lots) of sugar. A neighbor used to make kalamay out of them too, ending up with a blackish version when done - still tasty, i might add.
(ok, that was just to take away my lengua envy. Happy New Year!)
Comment from debbz
Time: January 8, 2008, 6:59 pm
hi arpee! sorry san yung milkyway? im not familiar with the resto kc. thanks
Comment from arpee lazaro
Time: January 9, 2008, 1:46 am
to jun: thanks for visiting my site! would you know of a place in manila that sells duman? my car is not being cooperative lately.
to debbz: there’s milkyway inside rockwell, or you can go to their restaurant at the corner of pasay road and paseo de roxas. it’s at the intersection so you can’t miss it. i’ll make it a post of milkyway one of these days.
Comment from Ang Kuwago
Time: January 10, 2008, 2:49 am
I heard about this Duman through an online news article not so long ago. It said that duman-making is a dying art and in the particular case cited in the article, I believe, is being made by just one person in the whole barangay.
Arpee ha… Bulacan, then Pampanga…not so far from Subic…
Comment from merce
Time: January 7, 2008, 9:07 am
Wow, the ox-tongue looks mighty tasty. I’m already salivating just looking at it. Can you give me the recipe for this, Norsky as well as the fresh lumpia’s? This is one of my frustrations, do include the lumpia wrap and its sauce. I am kind of trying to improve my cooking skills and learning my way in the kitchen.